Will Park Geun-hye's Prison Letter Shake the Conservative Camp... Concerns Over 'Doro Chinbak Party'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Former President Park Geun-hye's prison letter calling for unification into a 'giant opposition party' is shaking the centrist and conservative camps. As centrists and conservatives have gathered around the United Future Party, the possibility of unification with the far-right group known as the so-called 'Taegukgi Unit' has been raised. If the pro-Park faction also joins, not only will Kim Hyung-oh, the nomination committee chairman's 'reform nomination' lose its luster, but there is also a possibility of conflict with the pro-impeachment faction within the United Future Party.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, met with reporters after the party's supreme council meeting held at the National Assembly main building on the 5th and said, "To stop the Moon Jae-in administration's tyranny, our free right-wing forces must unite their strength," showing a positive response to the unification request from the Liberty Republican Party side. The Liberty Republican Party, formed by the merger of Uri Party for the Republic and the Liberty Unification Party, held a press conference immediately after former President Park's letter was made public on the 4th, emphasizing, "We will honor former President Park's will and become one with the United Future Party," and demanded a halt to the nominations.

Leader Hwang also expressed a positive stance on the principle of unification. He stated, "A broad unification including our free right-wing and centrists is necessary, and we will review it accordingly." However, he drew a line regarding the Liberty Republican Party's demand for nomination shares. Hwang said, "(Nominations) must be discussed together according to our system," adding, "We have agreed not to demand shares in the grand unification promoted by our free right-wing and have been discussing it on that premise, and under such conditions, we are opening a significant path for unification." This is expected to lead to further controversy in connection with the Liberty Republican Party's demand to halt nominations. In particular, it is also a point that differs from the nomination overhaul innovation led by Chairman Kim.

The United Future Party held its inauguration ceremony on the 17th of last month and completed the centrist-conservative unification. However, it failed to finalize unification with the so-called Taegukgi forces. Also, as incumbents were consecutively cut off (excluded from nominations) over nomination issues, pro-Park-leaning parties such as the Pro-Park New Party and the Korea Economic Party have sprung up like mushrooms to attract these groups, raising concerns about conservative division.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, if unification with these groups proceeds, it is unlikely to be free from criticism as a 'return to the Saenuri Party.' Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized former President Park's letter and Leader Hwang's remarks at the policy coordination meeting that morning, saying, "This is a political declaration signaling that the United Future Party has truly become the Saenuri Party again." Dissatisfaction among centrists who joined the United Future Party is also likely to surface. In particular, members of the New Conservative Party, who advocated 'crossing the river of impeachment,' have repeatedly rejected unification with the Uri Party for the Republic, the predecessor of the Liberty Republican Party. Depending on the stance of lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, internal strife could escalate.

There are concerns that the United Future Party's nominations, which emphasize 'reform' and 'innovation,' may also lose their shine. The party's nomination committee has been carrying out reforms by replacing pro-Park incumbents and giving additional points to youth, women, and disabled candidates. However, if the demands of pro-Park figures requesting nomination shares are accepted, it will be difficult to avoid being labeled a 'return to the pro-Park party.' Regarding this, Chairman Kim told reporters, "We cannot halt (nominations) when no official request has come from the party," drawing a line. Lee Seok-yeon, vice chairman of the nomination committee, also made it clear that there would be no halt, saying, "We will announce the results for Ulsan, Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK), and Busan-Gyeongnam (PK) by Saturday."